Bauhaus broke up (for the first time) when I was ten-years-old and had last toured as Bauhaus in 2006 before their current set of tours began in 2019. I'd fallen in love with them at age 15 but before 2022, the closest I'd come to seeing them was seeing Peter Murphy at the Brixton Academy in 2018. This year has been exceptionally kind to me because not only did I see Bauhaus at Primavera Sound in June - the best gig I've ever been to - I also got to see them again at the Brixton Academy on Friday.
To my shame, I was surprised back in 2018 how good Peter Murphy was but luckily I was prepared this time. Bauhaus were incredible and banged out hit after hit. I kept waiting for a quiet moment so I could go to the bar, but alas it was not to be.
What made me fall in love with Bauhaus was that it was the first time I truly appreciated each of the instruments. Kevin Haskins' drums, Daniel Ash's guitar, David J's bass and Peter Murphy's unmistakable vocals just spoke to me and for years I listened to Bauhaus to try out new pairs of headphones.
To hear them perform live and to have them sound as good - no, better than - their albums was an incredible privilege.
Brixton Academy is my favourite venue on Earth and the atmosphere on Friday night was superb. Primavera Sound was amazing, if only to see Bauhaus in a festival setting, but it felt like they truly came home on Friday and I will never forget that gig.
My highlight of the gig was every, single second between the beginning of "Double Dare" and end of "Dark Entries". I've been spoiled, I know how good Bauhaus sound in both a festival setting and small venue. All I want now is to see them again.
